U.S. and French Authorities Target Alleged Cross-Border Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering Network

U.S. authorities announced on October 2, 2026 the unsealing of an indictment charging Saleem Alzaq and the arrests of Omar Adhami, Abdel Adhami and Raed Yousef over an alleged international fundraising network for Hamas. In a coordinated operation in France, French authorities arrested Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika, described by U.S. prosecutors as Alzaq’s associates.

According to the Justice Department, Alzaq allegedly operated an international fundraising network from at least January 2020 that solicited donations through campaigns presented as humanitarian aid for Gaza while funds were allegedly directed to Hamas. Prosecutors allege that the campaigns collected more than $1.7 million. U.S. authorities also said cryptocurrency was used in efforts to move or conceal funds.

Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami, both of Covington, Louisiana, are accused of contributing approximately $94,000 and $11,000 respectively to the alleged network between February 2021 and September 2026. Raed Yousef of Lutz, Florida, allegedly provided almost $50,000.

Alzaq is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas, conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the United States. The other U.S. defendants face combinations of material-support, sanctions, wire-fraud, money-laundering and, in Yousef’s case, passport-fraud charges.

The charges are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, October 2, 2026.